First CFP Rankings: Miami No. 1, Notre Dame Faces Elimination
The first College Football Playoff rankings put Miami at No. 1 and No. 11 Notre Dame in a near must-win game Saturday. Here's what the top 12 means for the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12.
The first College Football Playoff rankings of the season put Miami at No. 1 and left No. 11 Notre Dame facing what amounts to an elimination game at home against the Hurricanes on Saturday. The top 12 also rewarded the SEC heavily and left the Big Ten and Big 12 with narrower paths to multiple bids.
What happened
The CFP selection committee released its first top 25 on Tuesday night, and the only near-certainty going in was that Miami would be first after a difficult outing against North Carolina. The Hurricanes held the top spot, with Georgia at No. 2, Utah at No. 3 and Indiana at No. 4.
The rest of the top 12: Alabama at No. 5, Kentucky at No. 6, Texas at No. 7, UCLA at No. 8, BYU at No. 9, Ole Miss at No. 10, Notre Dame at No. 11 and Ohio State at No. 12.
Committee chairman Hunter Yurachek said head-to-head results did not decide the order in every case. Tennessee beat Alabama last month, yet the Crimson Tide landed eight spots higher than the No. 13 Volunteers. Yurachek said that result would not factor in at this point because of how the two teams are viewed in the ranking process. He also said Ohio State’s head-to-head arguments were not discussed because the Buckeyes were not in the same group of teams, and that the committee did not think Ohio State looked like the same team in its loss to USC.
This is the final season of the 12-team format. The field expands to 24 teams next year as ESPN and the CFP finalize a new television agreement, according to the source report.
Why it matters
Notre Dame’s position is the clearest signal in the first ranking. At No. 11, the Irish are the last team inside the projected bracket, and a loss to No. 1 Miami would likely leave their playoff hopes dependent on other teams losing. This suggests the committee is treating Saturday’s game as a direct test rather than a resume-building opportunity.
The SEC came out strongest. Georgia at No. 2, Alabama at No. 5 and Kentucky at No. 6 give the conference three teams with room to absorb another loss. If Kentucky wins at No. 13 Tennessee this weekend, the source report argues the Wildcats could afford an additional loss and still make the field.
The Big Ten picture is less comfortable. Indiana is No. 4 despite zero ranked wins and four of its five wins over power-conference opponents coming by one score. Undefeated UCLA sits behind the Hoosiers at No. 8. The source report suggests the Big Ten could end up with only two teams in the playoff, especially if No. 12 Ohio State cannot adjust without Julian Sayin.
The Big 12 has its own route. No. 3 Utah is the highest-ranked team from the conference, and No. 9 BYU can reshape the bracket in Saturday’s rivalry game between the two. A three-bid scenario would likely require BYU to win out, No. 15 Texas Tech to finish the regular season undefeated, and Utah to beat BYU in the conference championship game.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| No. 1 | Miami |
| No. 2 | Georgia |
| No. 3 | Utah |
| No. 4 | Indiana |
| No. 5 | Alabama |
| No. 6 | Kentucky |
| No. 7 | Texas |
| No. 8 | UCLA |
| No. 9 | BYU |
| No. 10 | Ole Miss |
| No. 11 | Notre Dame |
| No. 12 | Ohio State |
| No. 13 | Tennessee |
| No. 15 | Texas Tech |
| No. 20 | USC |
| Format | 12 teams this season; 24 next year |
What this means for you
- If you follow Notre Dame, Saturday’s game against Miami is close to a must-win for a playoff spot. A loss would likely leave the Irish needing help from other results.
- If you follow the SEC, the first ranking is good news. Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky all landed in positions where another loss may not be fatal.
- If you follow the Big Ten, the margin is thinner than the rankings suggest. Indiana’s No. 4 spot is built on close wins and no ranked victories, and Ohio State at No. 12 has little room to absorb another loss.
- If you follow the Big 12, the Utah-BYU game on Saturday is the one to watch. It could decide whether the conference gets one bid or a path to three.
- Treat the first ranking as a starting point, not a verdict. The committee chairman said he expects significant movement in the top 25.
Frequently asked questions
Who is No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings?
Miami is No. 1, followed by Georgia at No. 2, Utah at No. 3 and Indiana at No. 4.
Why is Alabama ranked ahead of Tennessee after losing to the Vols?
CFP chairman Hunter Yurachek said the head-to-head result would not come into play at this point because of how the two teams are viewed in the ranking process. Alabama is No. 5 and Tennessee is No. 13.
How many teams make the College Football Playoff this season?
Twelve teams make the field this season. The format expands to 24 teams next year as ESPN and the CFP finalize a new television agreement.
What does Notre Dame need to do to make the playoff?
Based on the first ranking, the Irish likely need to beat No. 1 Miami on Saturday. A loss would leave their chances depending on other teams losing.
What to watch next
Saturday’s games carry the most weight: Notre Dame against Miami, Kentucky at Tennessee, and BYU against Utah. The committee has said it expects significant movement in the top 25 over the coming weeks, and a full month of the regular season remains.
- Miami is No. 1 in the first CFP rankings, with Georgia No. 2, Utah No. 3 and Indiana No. 4.
- No. 11 Notre Dame likely needs to beat No. 1 Miami on Saturday to keep its playoff hopes in its own hands.
- The SEC placed Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky in the top six, while the Big Ten's path to multiple bids looks narrower.
